Obituaries March 21, 2010

Lou Brand
HOUSTON – Lou Illa Faulkner Brand, 77, died Saturday, March 20, 2010, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. She was a retired merchant owner. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Houston.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Houston Cemetery. Memorial Funeral Home of Houston is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include two daughters, Barbara Cook (Don) and Mitzi Woods and fiancé, (Andy Alsobrook), both of Houston; one son, Buddy McClain (Joni) of Brandon; six grandchildren, Donnie Cook (Jennifer) of Atlanta, Tara Erickson of Woodland, Nicholas Cook , Michael Cook (Jamie), both of Houston, and Stefanie McClain Fairly (Daniel) and Mallory McClain, both of Brandon; seven great-grandchildren, Gracey, Eli, Maclain, Bishop, Levi, Charlie and Cale; one brother, Jimmy Heair of Houston; and one sister, Sue Allen of Houston.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Flora Faulkner Heair.
Pallbearers will be Donnie Cook, Nicholas Cook, Michael Cook, Daniel Fairly, Mike Peel and Curtis Hare
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.Annie Sizemore
AMORY – Annie Lou Guest Sizemore, 95, died Saturday, March 20, 2010, at Community Hospice-Darlington Oaks in Verona. Born Dec. 16, 1914, in Houston, she was the daughter of William Thomas and Vice Louisana Naron Guest. She married Robert J. Sizemore in 1935; he died in 1966. She lived in the Wren and Coontail Communities and in Amory for many years. Before her retirement, she worked for Amory Garment Co. She was a member of the East Amory Baptist Church. She enjoyed word puzzles and reading her Bible.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the E.E. Pickle Funeral Home Chapel in Amory with Bro. Roger Akers officiating. Burial will be in the Coontail Cemetery.
Survivors include one son, Billy Sizemore (Betty) of Amory; one daughter, Alline Rock (David) of Amory; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Bobby Joe Sizemore; seven brothers, Howard, Irvin, Thomas Malon, Grandville, Sidney Douglas, Hollis and William Evert Guest; and five sisters, Irene Nash, Clytee Ray, Bessie Callahan, Maude Davis and Era May Guest.
Pallbearers will be family members.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and will continue until service time on Monday at the funeral home.

Jimmy Gargus
CORINTH – Jimmy Gargus, 40, died March 19, 2010, at Magnolia Regional Health Center. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Memorial Funeral Home.

Guy Michael
BOONEVILLE – Ruby Guy Michael, 92, died Wednesday, March 17, 2010, in Rockwall, Texas.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Booneville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Dwain Whitehurst officiating. Burial will be in Booneville Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.James Higginbotham
AMORY – James M. “Jamie” Higginbotham, 51, died Wednesday, March 17, 2010, in North Chickasaw County as a result of an automobile accident. He was born July 4, 1958, to J.D. Higginbotham and Virginia Higginbotham. He was a Navy Seabee, serving from 1975 to 1979 in Port Hueneme, Calif; Puerto Rico; Rhoda, Spain and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. He worked as a local letter carrier in Tupelo from 1984 to 2000 and at the Tupelo Coliseum as local crew from 1993 to 1996. He was an avid Frank Zappa fan. He loved fishing and his dog, Wilber. He enjoyed the “Military Channel” and watching “Days of Our Lives” with his wife and best friend, Pam. He truly enjoyed life to the fullest. He was a loving husband and father and was loyal to his many friends.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Lee Memorial Funeral Home. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Pam Higginbotham; two sons, Justin Higginbotham of Bowling Green, Ohio and Steven Higginbotham of Amory; one brother, Tommy Higginbotham of Tupelo; one sister, Lynn Palmertree (Robert) of Saltillo; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.D. Higginbotham and Virginia Higginbotham
Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until service time today.
Online condolences may be left at www.leememorialonline.com.

Thomas Moody
ETTA – Thomas Paul Moody, 61, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at his home. He was born Aug. 11, 1948, to Leroy Moody and Annie V. Tidwell Moody in Union County. He worked at Masterbuilt. He was a Vietnam Veteran, having served in the United states Army.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in United Funeral Service Chapel with Bro. Rex Wilburn officiating. Burial will be in the Enterprise Cemetery. United Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
He is survived by his care giver, Sarah Moody of Etta; one daughter, Becky Foreman of Etta; one son, Kenneth Wayne Moody (Gerri) of Ingomar, one sister, Diane Hale of Mo.; two brothers, Clyde Moody (Glenda) of Nettleton and Johnny Moody of Nettleton; and eight grandchildren, Kevin Moody, Ken Moody, Jaden Moody, Sarah Pipitone, Richard Frazier, Ashley Moody, Kayla Foreman and Austin Foreman.
Pallbearers will be Thomas Moody, Michael Moody, Will Goss , Nathan Sizemore, Tommy Moody and John David Moody .
Honorary pallbearers will be the American Legion.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
In honor of his service to his country, United Funeral Service will fly the United States Army Flag during his visitation and his funeral service.
For online condolences, visit www.unitedfuneralservice.com.

Aaron Dixon
CORINTH – Aaron Dixon, 79, died March 19, 2010, at Tupelo Nursing and Rehab.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Tuscumbia Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from noon until service time Monday at the funeral home.Patty Avent
OXFORD – Patty Ruth Hensley Avent, 81, died Saturday, March 20, 2010, at Baptist Memorial Hospital North Misssissippi. She was a retired floor secretary at Baptist Memorial Hospital where she worked for 28 years. She was a member of the South Oxford Congregational Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a former Girl Scout leader and Boy Scout mom.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Waller Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Stoney Moorehead officiating. Burial will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, James L. Avent of Oxford; two daughters, Patricia Avent Becker and her husband, Charles and JoAnne Avent Collins, both of Oxford; two sons, Jim Avent and his wife, Cathy and Mickey Avent and his wife, Tonja, both of Oxford; one sister, Anne Johnsey of Oxford; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Velon and Ruth Hensley.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Avent’s memory may be made to South Oxford Congregational Methodist Church, c/o Pat Watts, 188 CR 215, Oxford, MS 38655 or to the charity of the donors choice.
To send an online condolence, visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com.

Faye McKinney
BOONEVILLE – Faye McKinney, 88, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. She was a member of East Prentiss Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher for many years. She retired from the Child Development Center in Booneville.
Services will be at 3 p.m. today at McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Kenneth Bishop officiating. Burial will be in the East Prentiss Cemetery.
Survivors include her three daughters, Shirley Shelton (James Merle) of Tupelo, Kara Chase (Dr. David) of Booneville and Sara Moore (Phil) of Ridgeland; one son, Johnny McKinney (Carolyn ) of Corinth; one daughter-in-law, Donita McKinney of Greenville, S.C.; one brother, T.L Brown (Ortha) of Greenville, S.C.; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Garvin, Tara Herrington, David Chase Jr., Lydia Chase, Lauren Moore, Brent McKinney, Garreth McKinney and Amanda McKinney; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Henry and Mary Bell Brown; her husband, Ray McKinney; one son, James Ray McKinney; and one grandchild, Lilly McKinney.
Pallbearers will be David Chase Jr., Brent McKinney, Garreth McKinney, Junior Smith, Junior McKinney and Patrick Garvin.
Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. today.
Condolences may be left at www.mcmillanfuneralhome.com.

Tommy Thompson Jr.
OXFORD – Tommy L. Thompson Jr., 86, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at the Mississippi State Veteran’s Home in Oxford. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors.
Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Newton United Methodist Church.

Laurie White
FULTON – Laurie White, 47, died Saturday, March 20, 2010, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Senter Funeral Home.Charles Elam
SMITHVILLE – James Charles Elam, 81, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at the River Place Nursing Center in Amory. Born Aug. 29, 1928, in Smithville, he was the son of Henry and Letus Vaughan Elam. He married Ethel Short; she later died. He married Mildred Farrar in 1995, who survives. He was a self-employed cabinet maker for 55 years, and he was a member of the Smithville Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the E.E. Pickle Funeral Home Chapel in Smithville with Bro. Wes White and Bro. Wesley Stephens officiating. Burial will be in the Young Memorial Gardens.
Survivors include his wife, Mildred Elam of Smithville; three sons, Donald Edge (Dessie) of Smithville, William C. Elam (Vickey) of Citronelle, Ala. and Bobby Joe Elam (Marilyn) of Belleville, Ill.; two stepsons, Terry Stephens (Alisa) and Tim Stephens, both of Smithville; two stepdaughters, Karen Knight (Lee) and Bridget Lee (Danny), both of Smithville; one brother, Harold Elam (Nell) of Senatobia; 13 grandchildren, Kellie Steadman, Kevin Edge, Ken Edge, Kerri Edge, Tanya Elam Griggs, Jennifer Elam Hendi, Jacquelin Elam, William R. Elam, Robert D. Elam, Elias Henry Elam, Kristin Elam, Katie Elam and Kayla Elam; six step grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four step great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife; one son, Dennis E. Elam; and two brothers, Arsel and Russell Elam.
Pallbearers will be Donald Ray Vandiver, Russell Clay Elam, Mike West, Bruce West, Jimmy Dabbs and Steve Chism.
Honorary pallbearers will be Lawrence Stevens, Dan Chism and members of the Smithville Baptist Adult Sunday School Class.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today and will continue until service time on Monday at the funeral home in Smithville.

Bill Knight
FULTON – Charles “Bill” Knight, 75, died Saturday, March 20, 2010, at his home. He was born April 30, 1934, in Itawamba County to William Berry and Charlie Mae Thomas Knight. He was a truck driver for Super Sagless for 27 years. He drove over four million miles without an accident. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. He was an avid deer hunter. He was a member of the Itawamba Southern Baptist Association.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Senter Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Dwight Faulkenbery, Bro. Grady Davidson and Bro. Phillip Holley officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Vernon Cemetery. Senter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Gertie Chilcoat Knight of Fulton; two daughters, Gail (Jeff) Umphers and Sandy (Brian) Hayes, both of Fulton; one grandson, Justin Umphers; one granddaughter, Madison Hayes; two sisters, Betty (Willie) Wimbs of Rayville, La. and Judy (Jerry) South of Guntersville, Ala.; and three brothers, Kenneth (Mary Lou) Knight of Fulton, J.T. Knight of Mantachie and Keith (Amelia) Knight of Mantachie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Tyler Dalton Hayes; and one brother, Paul Wayne Knight.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Nichols, Mackey Nichols, Gary Graham, Wesley Graham, Kenny Coker and Phillip Holley.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Knight, Kerry Knight, Brad Montgomery, Kelly Wayne Knight, Chris Montgomery, Mike Knight, Steve Johnson and all the truck drivers at Super Sagless.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today and from 8 a.m until service time Monday at the funeral home.

Anita Salow
RED BAY – Anita Helena Salow, 85, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at Helen Keller Hospital.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Deaton Funeral Home Chapel in Red Bay.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Deaton Funeral Home in Red Bay. Deaton Funeral Home in Red Bay is in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Merchant
NETTLETON – Barbara Lynnette Gilmore Merchant, 54, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at the North Mississippi Medical Center after an extended illness. She was born on Feb. 13, 1956, in Itawamba County to Domie Lee and Mary Lewis Gilmore. She was a native of Lee County but had resided in Nettleton for the past fifteen years. She was the former owner of Merchants Roofing Company in Nettleton and a member and co-founder of the Nettleton Church of Jesus Christ located on Metts Road. She enjoyed sewing, working puzzles and singing.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at the Chapel of Tisdale-Lann Memorial Funeral Home in Nettleton with the Rev. Paul Beam and the Rev. Aaron Myhand officiating. The eulogy will be given by Doug Merchant. Burial will be in Andrews Chapel Cemetery.
Survivors include her mother, Mary Lewis Gilmore of Tupelo; one daughter, Joni Salinas of Saltillo; one son, Matt Merchant (Kim) of Shannon; two sisters, Sheila White (Tony) of Mooreville and Melissa Harlow (Jim) of Nettleton; and seven grandchildren, Zack Merchant, Roman, Blanca and Cady Salinas and Sha, Aubre and Mattie Merchant.
She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Jimmy Dale Merchant; her father, Domie Lee Gilmore; three sons, Jimmy Bryan and Jimbo and Jamie Merchant; and two brothers, Danny and William Gilmore.
Pallbearers will be Chris Merchant, Bradley Merchant, G.G. Gilmore, B.J. White, D.J. Griffin and Levi Harlow.
Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren and William Merchant.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time today at the funeral home.
Family and friends may sign the guest registry online at www.tisdalelannmemorial.com.

Bobby Putt
WINFIELD – Bobby Joe Putt, 67, formerly of Tupelo, died March 19, 2010, at Northwest Medical Center in Winfield. He was born in Tupelo on Dec. 20, 1942, to Oscar and Mary Raper Putt. He was born and raised in Tupelo where he drove a truck for Better Brand Distributing Co. and had also worked as an ambulance driver. He was an outgoing spirit who loved to make people laugh. He was a big Ole Miss fan and loved to fish.
Services will be at 2 p.m. today at Miles Funeral Home Chapel with Phillip McCoy officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Miles Funeral Home of Winfield is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his daughter, Lisa Yvette (Don Townley) Warren of Winfield; two sons, Jimmie Joe and Josh Putt of Coffeeville; four sisters, Ann Jordan of Winfield, Brenda Dry, Cheryl Collins and Nell Mauldin, all of Tupelo; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Kathy Rogers Putt; three sisters, Kate, Dorothy and Lillie Mae; and four brothers, Bob, James Earl, Jimmie and Monroe.
Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Irene Gilreath
ABERDEEN – Irene Gilreath, 97, died Saturday, March 20, 2010. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Tisdale-Lann Funeral Home of Aberdeen.

Magdelene Lindsey
DENNIS – Magdelene “Lene” Lindsey, 86, died Friday, March 19, 2010, at Iuka Hospital. She was born July 2, 1923, in Belmont to Frank and Jennie Sartain Savage. She was the owner of Belmont Cleaners for 58 years and was a member of Liberty Church of Christ in Dennis.
Services will be at 4 p.m. today at Liberty Church of Christ with Bro. Ron Deaton and Bro. Scotty Young officiating. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery in Dennis. Deaton Funeral Home of Belmont is in charge of arrangements.
She is survived by three children, Jerry Lindsey (Martha) of Dennis, Pat Moore (Jerry) of Belmont and Tammy Lee of Hernando; six grandchildren, Scotty Moore of Nashville, Michelle English (Brent) of Burleson, Texas, Todd Martin of Walnut, Luciana Nunley and Lindsey Lee (Whitney), both of Dennis and Peyton Lee of Hernando; eight great-grandchildren, Elisabeth English of Yuma, Ariz., Zack Miller, Taylor Martin, Kasey Nunley, Michael Lee, Serenity and Patience, all of Dennis and Brandon English of Burleson, Texas; three nephews, Edwin Patrick of Russellville, Ala., Charles Davis and Johnny Davis both of Las Vegas; two nieces, Nelda Pacetti of Dennis and Nancy Kerr of Las Vegas; six great-nephews, Jason Patrick of Birmingham, Brian Davis, Dino Navigato and Anthony Navigato, all of Las Vegas, Johnny Jones of Tupelo and Vincent Pacetti of Dennis; and one great-great-niece, Lauren Pacetti of Red Bay.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Freed Lindsey; and two sisters, Beatrice “Bea” Davis and Lucille Patrick.
Pallbearers will be Bobby Lindsey, Alan Lindsey, Edwin Patrick, Brent English, Jason Patrick, Peyton Lee, Lindsey Lee and Don Lee.
Honorary Pallbearers will be the Elders of Liberty Church of Christ.
Visitation will be until service time today at the church.Sanford Whitehurst
CORINTH – Sanford D. Whitehurst died Friday, March, 19, 2010, at Magnaolia Regional Health Center. He was a retired Chief Deputy with the Alcorn County Sheriff’s Dept. He was a former manager at the Alcorn County Coop and an associate of the Wurtlitzer Corp. for twenty-nine years. He was serving as president of the Acorn County Farm Bureau Association. He was a member of the Cattleman’s Association and a member of Corinth Masonic Lodge #116, a 33rd degree Mason, a Shriner, Scottish Rite and member of the Alliance.
He was a life long member of Box Chapel United Methodist Church where he was song director and active in all church activities. He retired from the National Guard with 16 years of service. He served during Desert Storm. He began his military career at the age of seventeen when he joined the U.S. Navy and served four years.
He returned home and began his career at Wurtlitzer. While working, he attended Northeast Mississippi Community college and Mississippi State University. He always remained faithful to his farming and raising cattle.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at McPeters Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Smith Whiteside, the Rev. Ruth Wood and the Rev. Harold Tucker officiating. Burial, with Military honors and Masonic Rites, will follow in the Corinth National Cemetery. McPeters Funeral Directors in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy S. Whitehurst; two daughters, Patti Whitehurst and fiance, Tim Poindexter and his son, Cody Poindexter and Debbie W. King and husband, Brent; two granchildren, McKinley and Hunter King, both of Corinth; and one sister, Geneva (Jack) Pollard of Memphis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther Sanford and Ruby Whitehurst; and a brother, Harold Whitehurst.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Box Chapel United Methodist Church or the Shriners Children’s Hospital.

W.T. Ray
ASHLAND – Waymon Terrell “W.T.” Ray, 65, died March 19, 2010, at his home.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. today at Hopewell Cemetery in Walnut. McBride Funeral Home of Ripley is in charge of arrangements.
To view and sign online guestbook, visit www.mcbridefuneralhome.com.